Leyton Square transformed into brand new children’s playground

14 September 2018

Southwark Council opens its fourth brand new children play facility this summer.

Cllr Rebecca Lury joined local children and members of the neighbouring community, to celebrate the opening of the council’s new play area. Celebrations were complete with a bouncy castle, face painting and cake, on 13 September.

Some years ago Leyton Square play area was a favourite spot for Southwark’s rising star, the young Rio Ferdinand. It has long been valued by young people and parents in the neighbourhood, making the provision of a top quality play facility here a priority for Southwark Council.

Leyton Square was opened to the public in 1901, it has changed a little since then and is now enclosed by the Friary housing estate.

Families and children in the local area were central to the design process. In 2017 they attended a series of design sessions, after school workshops, community information days and feedback surveys, sharing their ideas for the playground.

The playground now offers adventure play opportunities to local children of all ages and abilities. It boasts a range of new equipment including cradle swings and a crocodile rocker for under fives, and the star attraction, an elevated timber trail with an interlinked climbing frame for older children.

A new outdoor gym and resurfaced multiuse games area complete the picture at the council’s newly transformed Leyton Square.

Cllr Rebecca Lury, Cabinet Member for culture, leisure, equalities and communities, said: “It is lovely to see children having fun with the brand new play equipment in Leyton Square. I’m delighted that the council’s investment has secured the future of play here for generations to come.”